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PRETTY SHADY- One Generation, One Summer at a time

I am
going to be part of the genertation that stops skin cancer, one Summer at a
time.But it is not just me that will be
grabbing skin cancer by the horns and strangling it. There are also a whole
heap of amazing celebrity ambassadors who will be spreading the word.

PRETTY
SHADY is fronted by a team of inspirational tastemakers who are leaders in
their field – from fashion to skating, street art, music and surfing. Each has
a unique link to the cause and champions one of the five PRETTY SHADY items.

CORBIN
HARRISProfessional Australian Skateboarder and
TV Personality, CORBIN HARRIS has collaborated on the PRETTY SHADY sunglasses.

GOSSLING Singer
songwriter Gossling’s debut album 'Harvest of Gold' launched on November 1 and
has been met with worldwide applause. Gossling not only lends her voice to the
soundtrack of the PRETTY SHADY manifesto video, she is also the face of the
PRETTY SHADY hat.

ANTHONY
LISTER Internationally acclaimed street and contemporary artist, ANTHONY LISTER
provides one of his famed original artworks for a bespoke PRETTY SHADY t-shirt.

I
will be spreading the word on this as loudly as I can, as it is something that
is super close to home for me. There have been many scares and scars in my
family that’s to skin cancer. And just speaking about it makes me shiver down
to the core, remembering the day my mum got the results on a tiny spot on her
lower back…. And then the tears and heartache that followed, as this was the
second time my mum has had a form of Cancer.

I
have no idea why this generation doesn’t think that skin cancer is seriously
deadly and can take your life as quickly as it appears. Skin cancer is one of
the most aggressive forms of cancer and can spread from head to toe faster then
a lot of other “serious” cancers- THIS IS SERIOUS.

I
would much prefer to be pale white and live life happily knowing I am not
damaging my skin and playing Russian Roulette with skin cancer. I am more then
happy with a fake tan from the can rather then baking my skin in the sun. The
way I think of it is when you pop a chicken in the over it starts off nice and
white. Then once it begins to cook it starts going brown, this is exactly what
you are doing to your skin when you go out and tan….

Okay
I will shut up about my opinion and me now and want to let EVERYONE out there
know about PRETTY SHADY.

This summer, history will be made with the
launch of a new summer sun safety campaign for NSW – PRETTY SHADY. PRETTY SHADY
is designed to drive the message of skin cancer prevention to young Australians
in a unique way.

As it
stands, Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. It’s the
most common cancer affecting Australians. In fact, two in three of your friends
will be diagnosed at some point in their lives. But change can happen. Stopping
sun damage stops 95% of melanomas.

By
sharing this knowledge, taking positive action and encouraging others to do the
same, we believe this generation can make a difference. That lives can be
saved.

Each
year, we’ll be releasing five good-looking items that protect you from the sun.
Each one reflects a positive action towards the prevention of skin cancer –
shade, clothing, hats, sunglasses and sunscreen.

Driving
the movement is a manifesto video by acclaimed director Josh Logue, who has
worked with some of Australia’s most exciting musicians including Empire of the
Sun, Birds of Tokyo, Josh Pyke, The Rubens and Gossling. The manifesto video,
which is set to the soundtrack of Gossling’s summer hit ‘Harvest of Gold’,
seeks to encourage and empower young Australian’s to be part of the generation
that stops skin cancer, one summer at a time.

The
manifesto also features PRETTY SHADY’s five Collaborators from the worlds of
fashion, music, sport and art. Each one shines a new light on the serious issue
of skin cancer prevention.

GET PRETTY SHADY PRETTY
SHADY will be giving away 2,500 PRETTY SHADY Logo Tees to residents of NSW
through http://www.prettyshady.com

All NSW entrants have the
opportunity to win a piece of PRETTY SHADY – each month, for five months, a
different limited edition item will be released.

Together
we can be part of the generation that stops skin cancer, one summer at a time.

I was
also lucky enough to be able to ask two of the ambassadors for Pretty Shady
some questions and thoughts on Skin Cancer. I wanted to compare how different
there thoughts were and also let others know skin Cancer is out there and it
WILL KILL!!!

So
the first beautiful lady we will hear from is Ellie- Jean Coffey who spends
most of her life out in the sun being a Pro Surfer

Ellie-Jean Coffey

What was the main reason you jumped on
board with the Pretty Shady Campaign other then it is a great cause?

I’m still
young and I want to grow up with the best skin possible.

Pretty Shady
to me is about not wanting myself or one of my friends to go through being
diagnosed with melanoma. This is serious, and we need to know about the
dangers.

Though my job, I’m out in the sun every day, and I am vigilant
about doing what I can to protect my skin. I’ve jumped on board to use my
influence to spread the message to other young girls and guys that you can
enjoy all the beach has to offer and still protect yourself.

A lot of the younger generation
(including myself) these days crave the whole tanned look and take extreme
actions to get the ultimate tan. How do you think we could start phasing this
out and bring back that natural skin look rather then the tan?

I believe young people
are influenced to tan from the people they aspire to look alike. Although
unfortunately some of these inspirations are unrealistic.

For example if you
have quite fair skin and wish to tan as dark as say, Pop Star Rihanna- people
will undergo these rather extreme actions of hours spent in the burning hot sun
or solariums in order to accomplish the tan. I think if you want to have a
certain look you should be realistic about it according to your skin tone.
Complimenting what you already have will not only be safer but it's in my
opinion a much nicer look! There are natural products you can buy to
enhance/moisturise your skin, which I use at nighttime as I have dry skin from
the sun and salt after a long day of surfing.

The short-term look of
a tan after having sacrificed your skin in the sun is entirely unworthy. In the
long run we are not only risking unhealthy, damaged, cancerous cells in our
skin, but also wrinkles!!! As a female I would like to have soft beautiful skin
when I am older and I do everything I can so that I will achieve that.

Your career is based on the beach
under many suns of this world, how important is it to you to keep your skin as
protected as possible?

Most of my
life is spent at the beach. It’s my home and something I want to be able to
enjoy forever, so I never go out without sunscreen.

I wear a
bikini in the water because I surf the best that way. But I always apply
sunscreen and re-apply every two hours.When I’m not competing I’m in the shade with a hat, t-shirt and
sunglasses on – always.

People talk about many different cancers
and Melanoma is usually swept under the rug or not considered as dangerous as
the rest. When the facts are it is very aggressive and can take your life just
as quick as the other cancers. Why do you think our generation doesn’t take
skin cancer and melanoma so seriously?

I think our generation
doesn't take skin cancer so seriously because they have not seen the long-term
effects first hand. My friends are all young and beautiful, radiant and full of
life. They're outside tanning, surfing, swimming, and enjoying the summer and
what this amazing world has to offer. It's almost comical the cliché but you
hear your parents and grandparents yell "make sure you wear
sunscreen", "don't be in the sun between 12-2", "wear a
hat", "protect your skin for gods sake", and it's because they
know first hand the dangers of skin cancer, their friends have suffered from
the damages if not themselves. The results showed up on their faces in the
wrinkles, and/or in a doctors office as he stood there with the devastating
results of a problem that could of be prevented- and will, if we just take some
time out of each day to be sun smart.

Have you personally been effected by
melanoma or skin cancer whether it is yourself, a family member or friend?

My grandfather, his
father and his uncle all worked in the sun for many years; this was before our
understanding on the damage the sun can cause.

The
second amazing lady is Gossling- An artist I have personally gone and watched
under the sun while she performed and did not realise I was even baking my skin
raw red. I do believe we need to take Pretty Shady to music festivals and
events to help raise awareness.

GOSSLING

-
What was the main reason you jumped on
board with the Pretty Shady Campaign other then it is a great cause?

I wanted to work with Pretty Shady
and be responsible by spreading the message of how important it is to protect
your skin. The decision to contribute to the campaign by using one of my songs
and putting my face to the fight was a very easy one to make.

-
A lot of the younger generation (including
myself) these days crave the whole tanned look and take extreme actions to get
the ultimate tan. How do you think we could start phasing this out and bring
back that natural skin look rather then the tan?

I think it's extremely unfortunate
that we would put ourselves in such danger to fit in with a phase in fashion. I
think fashion is cyclical though and I hope that overly tanned skin falls out
of popularity soon and never comes back. Pale, porcelain skin has so much
beauty to it.

-
Being a lady in the music scene and often
playing your own gigs and also at festivals that are outside usually in the
extremely hot Aussie sun. Seeing a lot of money and awareness goes out to drugs
in this scene do you also think Pretty Shady should also be made aware of at
festivals?

I think Pretty Shady taking skin
protection awareness to the music festival scene is a great idea. Music
festival fashion is in a league of it's own! And quite often includes baring a
lot of skin. When festival-goers are sitting directly under the sun for hours
on end, music is your main focus and it can be really easy to lose track of
time and forget about re-applying sunscreen.

-
People talk about many different cancers
and Melanoma is usually swept under the rug or not considered as dangerous as
the rest. When the facts are it is very aggressive and can take your life just
as quick as the other cancers. Why do you think our generation doesn’t take
skin cancer and melanoma so seriously?

I think we've become lazy and it's
lead to us being flippant in regards to skin cancer. We need to be constantly
reminded that the sun can be dangerous. There is no excuse for not taking
Melanoma and skin cancer seriously.

-
Have you personally been effected by
melanoma or skin cancer whether it is yourself, a family member or friend?

I have had
family members who have been affected by Melanoma. Having someone close to me
be affected by Melanoma is enough of a daily reminder that sun damage is serious.

Please
help spread the word on PRETTY SHADY both on social media and if you have a
blog please post and share!!!

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ABOUT THIS BLOG

Erin is a "Young Mummy blogger" who is starting to steer away from the "baby" scene and creating a space that gives insight to all of her favourite things. Everything relatable to Erin and her family can be found on this blog.